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FORMING FUTURE LEADERS An Assumption education does not simply prepare a student for a career, rather it is a holistic experience that forms the individual – mind, body, and soul – to make meaningful contributions to the world in which they live. As a University founded by the Augustinians of the Assumption, we provide students with a values and faith- based education with foundations in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition. The promise we deliver to students is to awaken in them a sense of wonder and purpose and enhance their intellectual strengths. Students expand their minds by engaging with enduring ideas and questions, and new ways of looking at the world. We also stretch the heart and soul with an education that involves the formation of the whole person. We strive to educate the whole person, not just one dimension. Through our faculty in the classroom and staff in co-curricular engagement with students, we are forming future leaders who are committed to the common good. I am the son of immigrants from Italy and a first- generation college student. I learned from my parents that education, perseverance, and a tireless work ethic provide access to opportunity. It is this work ethic and the educational opportunities I was provided that have formed and characterized my approach to leadership in higher education, one that is guided by the common good, the needs of our students, and one that is informed by a commitment to integrity. This approach can be applied to industries beyond higher education. Foundations in Mission and Faith. As a Catholic institution, Assumption makes parents and students hold the University to a certain standard. A leader must see himself/herself as the steward of the mission ensuring that it is a lived reality that guides all decisions and the direction and work of the organization. It is up to the leader to nurture in all members of the organization a sense of responsibility for the mission and to never veer from the mission. An institution that is strong in its mission will endure the pending challenges that it will face. Students Must be at the Center of all Decisions. Higher education institutions need to focus on serving students since they are the reason the institution exists. This is similar to any organization that must keep its stakeholders in the forefront. The leader must demonstrate by example how to maintain the centrality of stakeholders. In higher education, faculty and staff are to be reminded, regardless of their position, of their role in awakening in students that sense of wonder and to challenge them to determine their purpose in life. After all, an education with value must include an intense process of discerning one's vocation to lead a meaningful and purposeful life. Maintain Integrity. Always. The values that are important to a leader should mirror those of the institution. At the end of the day, a leader should never compromise the values that define his/her life. Leading with integrity is paramount. Overseeing any organization comprised of individuals with various points of view presents opportunities for the leader to help navigate different perspectives while maintaining one's integrity. Decision-making must be consistent with the leader's values and those of the institution, chief among them, mission. Benefit the Common Good. The leader needs to remind those in the organization that what they do is for the betterment of the other. This became evident during the pandemic when institutions and individuals learned first- hand the importance of making decisions that benefit the common good, rather than self. The leader must model this at all times. When faced with difficult decisions, pursuing a path that benefits the whole is often the proper course. Strive for Excellence. A leader must never be satisfied with what has been accomplished or achieved, but must always strive for greater excellence. This approach needs to be nurtured in those who are members of the organization. Striving for excellence needs to be both an institutional and individual goal, which the leader needs to articulate consistently. This is especially important in higher education. Students must be challenged to go beyond themselves and discover their purpose in this world; to discover their calling. As St. Augustine wrote, to become what they are not yet. Create an Environment that Inspires Innovation and Creativity. A leader needs to inspire members of the organization to be future-oriented and to think outside the box. The leader has to create opportunities for risk- taking which encourages innovation and creativity. This will offer new avenues that will enhance what an organization offers and does so long as it is consistent with the mission. Organizations that do not evolve will stagnate and lose their competitive edge. The leader must provide the resources, time, and support, as well as a willingness to accept failure when taking risks, that will allow the organization to thrive. Each of these principles of leadership are applicable to higher education. College and universities, each defined by their unique mission and purpose, require a specific approach to leadership if that institution is to continue to grow, impact the formation of future leaders who are committed to the common good and create opportunities for faculty and staff to grow in their area of expertise. It is by focusing on these principles, which are guided by the mission of the institution, that enduring success can be achieved. Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame Francesco Cesareo President, Assumption University

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